Improvement in apparatus for filing and binding papers



P. MAC VICAR.

Apparatus for Filing-and Binding Paprer.

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AM. Mam-UrfmGRAP/l/c ca Mxoseamf prennes@ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER MAC vIcA'R, oE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 134,90, dated January 14, 18,73.

To all whom tmay concern.-

Be it known thatV I, PETER MAC VICAR, of Glasgow, Scotland, but nowresiding in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an ,Ap-l paratus for Filing and Binding Letters-and other Papers, of which the following is a specification: Y

The object of my invention is to facilitate the filing and binding together of letters and other papers in apparatus of that class in which the said letters are placed loosely, but in order for binding, between the sheets of an index contained within a box. I accomplish this object, iirst, by arranging the binding-bar A, Fig. l, at some distance outward from the back ofthe box B, so that it may bear upon the iiexible cover of the book D at or near the center of the same instead of at the rear, thus counteracting the usual tendency of the said book to bulge open at the front; second, by combining screws E with the binding-bars A and A', Figs. l and 5, so as to enable any required degree of pressure to be brought to bear upon the letters prior to binding the same; third, by rendering the whole ofthe binding devices, including the bars'A and A' and the screws E, detachable from the box when a greater number of letters than the latter will contain areto be bound together. The ling and binding operations are also facilitated by certain minor improvements, fully set forth in the following detailed description 0f the construction and operation of the apparatus:

The book D ts snugly within the box, and consist-sof a number of loose indexed sheets, between which the letters or other papers are inserted in alphabetical order as they are received, each letter, when inserted, beingpushed back until arrested by coming in contact with the back of the box. The binding-bar A bears upon the top of the book, and projects through and. is arranged to slide in vertical slots a in the sides of the box, the said bar, from which the screws E are now detached, being constantly acted on by rubber springs b at each end, (see Fig. 4,) which cause it to bear upon the book with a sufficient degree of pressure to retain the letters in place. The bar is situated at some little distance outward from the back of the box, which facilitates the binding, as hereafter described, and also counteracts the usual tendency of the book to bulge open at the front. The latter is also prevented by making the rubber sprin gs b thicker at thefront edge ot' the said binding-bar than at the rear, as shown at Fig. 4, and, in addition, if it be desired to keep the book entirely closed at the front, a rubber loop, d, adapted to a button,

e, on the bottom of the box, may be employed. (See Fig. 1.) When a sufficient number of letters have been placed within the book, and it is desired to bind the whole together, the sliding handle f is removed from the box and the bookis drawn bodilyforward until its rear edge is just visible throughthe triangular slots 11. in the bindingbar A. The sore-ws E are then applied and the book compressed by means of the same to the required extent, after which, by means of abrad-awl or other pointed instrument, holes for the binding threads or Wires are formed in the said lbook, the awl being inserted through small holes or slots fi i in the binding-bar A, Figs. 2 and 5, and emerging through larger holes i in the bottom of the box or lower binding-bar A. These larger holes will always receive the point of the awl, and will prevent the latter from striking the bottom of the box, which is apt to be the case when the upper and lower holes are both of the same size. The position of the binding-bar much facilitates the operation of the awl 5 and the said bar, instead of being provided with the usual rigid handle, has a hinged or lift handle, j, Figs. l and 2, which enables al greater number of letters to be inserted into the'book than with the rigid handle, as it will not strike against the sliding handle f when the bar rises. The said lift-handle also, when lturned to one side, enables the binding threads or wires to be inserted-through the center of the book. When a book has been bound the nuts of the screws E are loosened and the book removed, 4when another may be inserted into the box and beneath the binding-bar to be filled with letters.

It is often desirable to bind a greater number of letters together than can be contained in one box-a collection from several boxes,

for instance. To facilitate this operation I propose to employ a lower ,binding-bar, A', Figs. 3, 4, and 5, in combination with the upper bar, the bottom and sides of the box being so cut away that both, with the screws E, can be removed from the box and employed as inden pendent Yclamps and binders for any desired number of letters, as shown in Fig. 5. Detachable or adjustable buttons or cleats's, Fig. 5, ,retain the bar A in position when t.1e box is in use.

1 claim as my invention- 1. The binding-bar A, arranged Within the box, as described, so that the letters upon which the bar bears Will project beyond both edges of' the bar, for the purpose specified.

' 2. The combination, With the boX, of the bar A and screws E, together detachable from th box, substantially as described.

3. 'lhe combination, With the binding bar or bars, of springs b, constructed and applied so 

